What would the flag of a mirror universe/sincere "East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere" look like?

[Pipcard]

Japan as the center of an economic coalition that outmuscles the US. Perhaps a non-imperialist Japan (just barely possible with post-1900 PODs) leading some sort of Asian alliance, with a divided China (Trotsyite USSR and North China vs Japan and allies?)

In OTL, Pan-Asian flag concepts like these tend to have either one or two types of imagery: Communist China or Imperial Japan. But in a universe where Japan didn't go imperialist, and Communist China didn't become a juggernaut, what would the flag of such an alliance look like? I've seen people criticize the use of the Taijitu (yin-yang symbol) or dragons in the flag as it feels too stereotypical, Taoist-centric, or Sino-centric.

@BionicWilliam thought that the logo of the Asian Games was the closest to a Pan-Asian symbol.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) flag has a bundle of yellow rice stalks (the common crop) to represent prosperity and friendship. Blue is peace and stability, and red is courage and dynamism.

The flag of the defunct SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) has a globe with the southeast portion highlighted, as well as a stalk (presumably rice) in the middle.

I tried to represent the above two in what I call the "Mutual East Asian Cooperation Union." Do you have any advice as to colors and symbolism?

Edit: changed the shade of blue somewhat.

 

[Višeslav]

In OTL, Pan-Asian flag concepts like these tend to have either one or two types of imagery: Communist China or Imperial Japan. But in a universe where Japan didn't go imperialist, and Communist China didn't become a juggernaut, what would the flag of such an alliance look like? I've seen people criticize the use of the Taijitu (yin-yang symbol) or dragons in the flag as it feels too stereotypical, Taoist-centric, or Sino-centric.


I tried to represent the above two in what I call the "Mutual East Asian Cooperation Union." Do you have any advice as to colors and symbolism?

The flag looks good. Blue White and Red are common flag colors both inside and (more notably) outside of Asia, and can have many meanings applied to them (blue and white are both often associated with peace, while red can represent strength/power and sometimes industry (or socialism but I think that isn't what you're going for and red not being the dominant works to avoid that confusion). Gold/Yellow is a good choice of color for the main symbol. It stands out, represents wealth and prosperity and yellow was and important color for Chinese and Japanese emperors and (if I remember correctly, for Han Chinese culture generally regardless of connections to the monarchy). The simple globe with the hilighted east is great. Complex enough to be specific, but not too busy and doesn't represent just one culture. This shade of blue is a good middle ground between the very dark and the UN-esque very light blue. Lighter blues work well for international orgs (mainly due to association with the UN but also due to being a sort of global thing (the sky, water, etc.)), but I usually find that the UNs blue is too light.

Great flag, not sure how I'd improve it. If I think of a way to make it even better, I'll be sure to tell you.